December Recap: A Busy, Beautiful Finale to 2024
Okay, okay... we’re nearly halfway through January, and here I am just now writing my December blog. I know, I know—I’m slacking!
But seriously, one of my big goals for 2025 (and honestly every year) is to keep my website and blog more up to date. Last year, I only managed a couple of blog posts, and I’m determined to do better this time around. Now that I’ve got that out of the way, let’s dive into the whirlwind that was December 2024!
Vegas Adventures: Rodeos, Photoshoots, and Lessons Learned
December started with a bang as I flew out of Pensacola’s tiny airport and headed to Vegas! I spent about two weeks there working a youth rodeo event at the Plaza during NFR season, shooting for another photography company. The event wrapped up early each day, so my roommate and I made the most of our time by doing impromptu photoshoots on Fremont Street.
The view from out hotel room!! Can see the strip, and obviously the arena we were working at! Even had a pretty good view of The Sphere, although I didn’t get it in this photo.
It was such a cool experience! I even got to photograph real-life influencers—something I never imagined I’d do. Huge thanks to the amazing ladies who braved the craziness of Fremont to create some incredible shots with us.
Elva May ended up being out first influencer to shoot during the week!! Started off with a bang, right?
That said, as fun as it was, Vegas can be... a lot. If you’re a homebody like me, the constant crowds and noise can get overwhelming fast. While I’m so grateful for the opportunity, I learned a ton about what I’d do differently if I ever go back for work.
I saw that my friend Rachel was going to be in Vegas and just had to do a shoot with her!! She’s so naturally stunning, the western retro vibes here were the move.
Home Sweet Home... and the Dreaded “Vegas Crud”
On December 15th, I navigated the Vegas airport at 5 a.m. (rough) and made my way back home. Let me tell you, there’s nothing like reuniting with your dog after a long trip. Unfortunately, I brought a little souvenir back with me—the infamous “Vegas Crud.” It’s basically a weird virus everyone picks up from being around all the people and dry air. After one day of rest, though, I was back at it.
My sweet, sweet boy Benji sure was happy to see me!! He makes leaving for long trips extra hard.
Colter Wall Concert: A Ticketmaster Plot Twist
On December 16th, I had tickets to see Colter Wall in Mobile with a couple of friends. Or so I thought. A few hours before the concert, Ticketmaster sent an email saying my tickets were canceled and refunded... because I’d accidentally bought fakes. Oops!
Thankfully, the venue staff were absolute lifesavers. When we explained the situation, they gave us free tickets—and not just any tickets. These were amazing seats! The staff kept reminding us how lucky we were, and honestly, it felt like fate. The concert itself was everything I hoped for: chill vibes, great music, and a perfect reset after my time in Vegas.
We ended up with BOX seats! Seriously, even the photo doesn’t accurately show how lucky we got with these seats.
Family Sessions and Holiday Magic
The next day, I hopped in my Camry and crossed state lines to Purvis for a family session. It was such a sweet, laid-back shoot, with gorgeous fall vibes all around their home. Even the kids stayed happy until the very end—something that doesn’t happen often, but is always a treat when it does.
I also squeezed in a last-minute Christmas shoot that turned out to be one of my favorites of the year. My mom made me a custom white wreath for the session, and it was absolutely stunning. Thanks, Mom!
These black backgrounds were such a fun, creative outlet! I had never offered this type of session prior to 2024, but I think they are going to be a new staple in my equine sessions!
Ending the Year with a Wedding
To wrap up 2024, I shot a wedding—and wow, what a day! I hired my good friend Bailey as my second shooter, and having someone you know and can laugh with makes such a difference on those long, high-pressure days.
My second shooter, Bailey, arranged this detail shot layout and didn’t she do such an amazing job? Giving all the chic, dramatic vibes.
This wedding felt like a turning point for my business. I photographed and filmed the entire event, and I’m really proud of how everything turned out. Despite the stress and tight timelines, there’s just something about the wedding atmosphere that I love. But let’s save more of that for January’s recap—I’ve got big plans to share.
Grateful for 2024
Looking back, December was one of the busiest and most rewarding months of my career. I’m so thankful for all the amazing clients, opportunities, and lessons 2024 brought my way. Here’s to an even better 2025!
